Against what is in the best interest of the Hoboken Fire Department, the Hoboken Transportation director opened access to Madison Avenue from Observer Highway. It is often difficult for the fire trucks to get out of the fire station at that intersection because of traffic jams. The recent traffic changes at Jackson and Observer have made traffic on Observer Highway backed up as far as Washington Street to exit Hoboken and as far as 15th St. in Jersey City to get into Hoboken. While most drivers would expect traffic back-ups during morning and evening rush hours, it is more common now at many other times. When every minute makes a difference responding to a fire, now firefighters have to become traffic cops just to respond to a fire. When cars are choking the roads because of a stupid decision, we may have to put wings on our fire trucks so they can fly over the horrendous traffic jams.

The town also placed rubber stanchions at Madison so cars cannot make a left turn from the east lane even though there has been no reason to justify them. Yet, there is a need at Henderson and Observer. I brought this matter to the attention of Ian Sacs shortly after assumed his job and later to Mayor Zimmer. Both dismissed the need while west bound cars continue to be cut off unexpectedly by east bound drivers crossing double yellow lines to enter the Valero gas station or to Newark Avenue even though there is a sign in the east lane indicating, “No left turn.” That sign does not deter many drivers especially the pizza delivery drivers. They cross over illegally all the time with impunity. I guess someone at City Hall likes their pizza hot even if lives are jeopardized!